Critter Control of Greater Dallas

WE CAN HELP YOU GET RID OF NUISANCE WILDLIFE PROBLEMS

Critter Control is here for you every step of the way in the wildlife removal process. From inspection to removal—and even exclusion and repair—we have the services you need to get rid of raccoons, rodents, and other nuisances fast. First, we identify the animal on the property, then use humane methods to remove the animal and secure weak points where more could enter. If damage has been done, we can make those repairs for a complete restoration. Contact a Critter Control office near you today.

Wildlife Removal in Dallas

Texas defines nuisance wildlife as animals that pose a threat to humans, cause damage to your home or property, or become annoying. We have raccoons, snakes, opossums, skunks, rodents, rabbits, squirrels, bats, and many other nuisance wildlife in Dallas. You may think you can handle nuisance wildlife and that you can get rid of them yourself. Before you do, check out the Texas laws regarding removal and relocation.

If an animal is a high risk for carrying a disease, transporting it is a class C misdemeanor in Texas. Plus, capturing and handling nuisance wildlife can be dangerous and gross. At Critter Control, we use a process that follows Texas laws and is safe for you and the animal. We provide inspection, removal, and repairs. Below are examples of how we’ve handled Texas wildlife in the past.

Raccoon Removal in Dallas

Raccoons in Dallas are nocturnal bandits that roam the neighborhoods tipping over trash cans and scattering garbage with their nimble, human-like hands. They can travel up to six miles and create multiple nesting spots to rest. Sure, they’re cute but also very destructive. They can open dumpsters searching for food scraps, dig holes in your yard searching for insects, raid your garden for fruits and vegetables, and climb up your chimney and into your home when it’s time to sleep.

Once in your home, raccoons can shred drywall, chew through wires, scratch flooring, and use insulation to create a nest. If they decide to build a nest in your chimney or vents, you are at risk for fire hazards. When Critter Control is called for raccoon removal, we show up prepared.

Inspection: We know how to find signs of raccoon activity, from the streaks they leave behind when they climb up the side of your house to the outdoor holes they’ve tried to dig to get into your chicken coop. We also take note of all damages caused by the raccoon.

Removal: Getting rid of the raccoon from your home involves live traps that are safe and humane. We follow all permitting requirements and communicate with the Texas Wildlife Department regarding their release. It is a crime to relocate raccoons due to the risk of spreading rabies, another reason to call the pros.

Repair: Common damages we repair on raccoon calls include replacing damaged wires, insulation, and drywall inside the home. Outside we implement exclusion methods to keep raccoons away. We set up better storage methods for garbage and pet feed. We install fencing around gardens, resod lawns, and reduce the amount of food and water resources that attract them in the first place. We also seal all possible entry points to prevent raccoons from getting into your home in the future.

Raccoons aren't the only nocturnal thieves in Dallas, unfortunately.

Rat and Mouse Pest Control

The rats trying to live in your Dallas home are either the Norway rat or the roof rat, also known as the black rat. The house mouse is also a common unwanted resident that sneaks out at night to gather food and nesting materials. You may not ever see rodents on your property, but the signs they leave behind are evidence of their destructive behaviors.

Rats like to create burrows in your yard and will gnaw just about anything, including wires, siding, pipes, garden hoses, and any wood. Mice inside your home will chew holes in your cabinets to get to your pantry foods, baseboards, vents, screens, and anything they need to survive.

Mice can fit through a hole the size of a quarter, and rats can fit through a hole the size of a golf ball. Holes you may never notice are entry points for rodents that carry diseases. We can help eliminate your rodent problem. Because rats and mice multiply often, the sooner you call, the better.

Inspection: Our pros know how to spot droppings, smears, runways, and feeding signs. We locate all holes and cracks that need to be sealed.

Removal: Rats and mice are trapped using methods approved by Texas law.

Repair: Once we trap and remove rodents, we can start repairing areas damaged. These areas include filling in burrows, fixing wires, and protecting pipes and wood with metal covers. Other rat-proofing exclusions include storing food properly, removing food and water sources that are easily accessible and unattractive to rodents.

Squirrels are a different kind of rodent, cuter than rats and mice, but equally annoying.

Squirrel Removal

Squirrels in Texas that are common to Dallas neighborhoods include the ground, flying, and tree squirrel varieties. Squirrel watching is an activity in Texas because squirrels are everywhere. They are busy, too, searching for foods they love, like nuts, seeds, grains, bird eggs, fruits, vegetables, and some bark.

Squirrels spend most of their time collecting foods to store for winter months and nest-building materials. They carry their collections into your home via the chimney, vents, or small holes or cracks that seem insignificant.

Once in your home, squirrels will wreak havoc, making your attic their winter haven. Expect chewed wires, shredded insulation, and if you have sentimental objects not correctly stored, it could become part of their nest. To control a nuisance squirrel, here’s what we do.

Inspection: We find all entry points into your home being used by squirrels, including broken screens covering vents and chimneys, broken windows, or cracks in your walls. We also identify squirrel activity that is harmful to the outside of your property, like broken shingles, smear marks on your siding, and holes in your yard and garden.

Removal: Our experts trap squirrels and release them according to local and state laws. We ensure safety for you, our pros, and the animal.

Repair: Common repairs we have made when removing squirrels include replacing damaged wires, shingles, drywall, and screens covering vents. For exclusion, we install tree and roof barriers to prevent squirrels from climbing. We remove food and water sources that attract squirrels, like birdbaths and bird feeders.

Bat Removal in Dallas

Bats in Dallas are more common than you may realize. In Texas, there are 32 of the 47 total bat species. Bats you may see in the city are the Mexican long-tongued, free-tailed, and long-nosed, the Eastern red bat, the Southern yellow bat, and the hoary bat. Also hiding out in caves and possibly your attic are the evening, big-eared, big brown, and silver-haired bats.

Bats fly out of their roosts at night to feast on thousands of insects, which is one reason they are very beneficial to the ecosystem. However, bats have one big guano problem. Bat guano contains uric acid, the kind that can corrode metal. Guano can grow molds that may lead to respiratory issues, like histoplasmosis, if inhaled by humans.

Bats roost upside down in places with high ceilings. They don’t need much of a hole to squeeze into to enter the space; ¼” is sometimes enough. While roosting, bats clean themselves, which doesn’t make much sense because they also continue to drop guano. It runs down their bodies and onto your attic floor.

This is one of the top reasons never to try to remove a bat by yourself. If you touch them, you are also handling their guano. Plus, they can bite when they feel threatened. Let us do the dirty work involved with getting rid of bats.

Inspection: Bats are easy to locate, so we spend much of our time assessing damages, locating entry points, and finding food and water sources attracting bats to your property.

Removal: We often use one-way valves that allow bats to fly out of your home but are too narrow for them to fly back in. We can customize the valves for your space. If needed, we can capture and release bats using our safety equipment.

Repair: Cleaning and applying sanitization of the area affected by bat guano, sealing entry points, and reducing outdoor sources that attract insects are the main repairs and exclusions we provide. One example of an exclusion is to turn outdoor lights off at night to avoid attracting too many bugs, which attract bats.

Skunk Removal

Skunks in Dallas and everywhere react when threatened, which is typically anytime anything or person gets near them. In defense, they spray the worst smelling chemical in existence today. It is where the skunk releases its spray that makes it a nuisance. If it has taken up residence under your deck or porch, that smell could linger into your home and stay for weeks.

If you have a skunk invading your space, don’t take the risk of getting sprayed. Call us instead.

Inspection: Because we understand the habits of skunks, maternity season, and preferred habitats, we can quickly locate skunk activity outside your home. If they are in your basement or crawlspace, we figure out how they got there.

Removal: Even though skunks tend to not stay in one place for too long, we can remove one that is stuck or stubborn. We use live traps that are humane and safe and meet all Texas regulations. For example, it is illegal to relocate skunks due to the potential spreading of diseases.

Repairs: Skunks may break into a space underneath your home. We can fix and seal all holes and open areas to prevent future skunk visits. We also look for food and water resources and remove them.

Dallas Wildlife Q&A with Mark Shetterly:

What are some of the most common wildlife issues that homeowners face in Dallas?
 
Rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, and opossums.
 
How do the seasons affect wildlife activity in the Dallas area?
 
Summer is a season of building nests and preparing for fall, winter, and the next spring season. Fall, winter, and spring are seasons of elevated animal activity in homes.
 
Any prevention tips for residents near Dallas?
 
Keep property in good condition. Dilapidated properties have a tendency to have more animal entry points. Keeping trash and clutter cleaned out is essential to prevent animal shelter and the gathering of nesting material.
 
When should homeowners call Critter Control?
 
Homeowners should call Critter Control when animal issues are suspected or for simple peace of mind, as inspections are free.

Professional Wildlife Removal Services

There are numerous reasons to call an expert nuisance wildlife control company for help, including:

• The experts don’t mind getting their hands dirty to remove an animal.

• They show up equipped with the most modern safety equipment.
• They have extensive knowledge of every nuisance wildlife.

At Critter Control, our experts are:

• Licensed and insured
• Friendly and efficient
• Aware of all Texas laws and regulations regarding wildlife removal

Critter Control commonly services Dallas and the surrounding area, including:
Allen, Carrollton, DeSoto, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Irving, Lewisville, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, and Rowlett.

Serving the following locations:

By County: Dallas County, Kaufman County, Rockwall County